The Life of the Buddha: The gift of a garden by Ambapali.

Then the Master proceeded to Vesali. At this time, also, there was dwelling in the town of Vesali a beautiful and wealthy courtesan whose name was Ambapali, the Mango-girl. It was reported to her that the Blessed One had come to Vesali and was halting at her Mango Grove. Immediatley she ordered her carriages and set out for the grove, attended by all her train; and as soon as she reached the place where the Blessed One was, she went up towards him on foot, and stood respectfully aside; and the Blessed One instructed and gladdened her with religious discourse. And she, being thus instructed and gladdened, addressed the Blessed One and said: "May the Master do me the honour to take his meal with all the Brethren at my house tomorrow." And the Blessed One gave consent by silence. Ambapali bowed down before him and went her way.

Now the Licchavi princes of Vesali also came to know that the Blessed One had come to the town, and they too proceeded to the Mango Grove where he was halting. And as they went they met with Ambapali returning, and she drove up against them axle to axle, and wheel to wheel, so that they all exclaimed: "How comes it, Ambapali, that thou drivest up against us thus?" "My Lords," she made answer, "I have just invited the Blessed One and his Brethren for their tomorrow's meal." Then the princes repleid: "O, Ambapali, give up this meal to us for the sum of a hundred thousand." "My Lords," she said, "if you were to offer to me all Vesali with its subject territory, I would not give up so honourable a feast." Then the Licchavis cast up their hands and exclaimed: "We are outdone by the Mango-girl!" and they went on their way to the Mango Grove. And when they, too, had greated the Blessed One and had hearkened to his instruction, they addressed the Master and said: "May the Blessed One do us the honor to take his meal, with all the Brethren, at our house tomorrow." But the Buddha replied: "O, Licchavis, I have promised to dine tomorrow with Ambapali the courtesan." And again the princes exclaimed: "We are outdone by the Mango-girl!"

The next day Ambapali served the Lord and all the Brethren with her own hands, and when they would eat no more she called for a low stool and sat down beside the Master and said: "Lord, I make a gift of this mansion to the Order of which thou art the chief." And the Blessed One accepted the gift; and after instructing and gladdening Ambapali with religious discourse, he rose from his seat and went his way.

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India - Ancient - Religion/philosophy - Indians/Buddhists - English